Page 78 of The Holiday Clause
“It’s not crude. It’s what I did. It’s what made you come. Again and again. You said you wanted to talk about it. How can we talk about it if you can’t even hear the words?”
“You’re purposely trying to shock me.”
Maybe he was. He wasn’t thinking clearly at the moment.
Despite blowing his load in the shower and again in his hand, all he wanted to do was wrap that braid around his fist, and fuck her hard. Every part of her. Her pussy. Her mouth. Her virgin asshole. Jesus. “You should probably go.”
Her stare jumped to his and she blinked rapidly, pink glistening in the whites of her eyes. “What?” Her jaw quivered.
He died a thousand deaths under that sad stare. But that was for the best. This was the most he could offer. “I can’t give you…” How the fuck did he make this clear without crushing her. “I tried to warn you, Wren.”
She looked ready to throw something at him. “You know, you can really be a complete bastard sometimes.” She slid off the bed, her steps unsteady.
“I know.” He warned her. But she didn’t listen.
She dressed quickly and it took everything in him not to go to her. “Where’s the kitten?”
“He’s in the spare room.”
“Have you checked on him lately?”
“He’s handled.”
She looked over her shoulder, skepticism narrowing her eyes. “I’ll check on him before I go.” Shoving her feet into her little boots, she left the room.
He exhaled hard and rubbed his chest. The ache returned. Drawing in a few deep breaths, he looked up at the rafters and counted silently to ten, then went after her.
Wren sat on the floor of the spare room, cross-legged, holding Rat against her face as she scratched his little head and made kissy sounds in his ear. “When did he last eat?”
Did she think he neglected his duties? “Little over an hour ago. He’s not due to eat again until ten.”
“You can’t just leave him in here, Greyson?—“
“First of all, he only stayed in here so I could shower. He’s been with me all day.”
The little rodent fit perfectly in his pocket, and no one seemed to mind when he brought him into town this afternoon to run a few errands.
She gave him a doubtful look. “He needs companionship, especially at this age.”
“Rat’s fine. I don’t need a lecture.”
“Ugh, please stop calling him that. His name is Tinsel.” She kissed his head and set him back on the blankets Greyson had laid out. “You should probably put a space heater in here so he doesn’t get cold.”
He scooped Rat up and cradled him in his arm. There was no reason for a heater. The cat was alone for no more than a few minutes—tonight was an exception, but he hadn’t been expecting company. The damn thing even slept with him.
“I know what he needs.”
She met his stare with silence.
Why was this so hard? He didn’t want her to hate him, but he hated how out of control she made him feel. This was a dangerous game they played and she was lucky he only fucked his hand today.
She stood and brushed off her clothes. “I’m writing you another check. Cash it this time.”
“We’ll see.”
“Damn it, Grey—” He shut her up with a kiss, all the tension in her body instantly softening.
Holding his lips to hers, he growled, “Enough about the fucking checks, Wren.”
